Obituary: Kathryn M. Salmi

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Hancock

Kathryn M Salmi was called to her heavenly home on May 22, 2022. She was born on August 20, 1949 to Wilbert and Margaret Salmi in Houghton Michigan. She was the oldest of three siblings. Surviving are her brothers Robert (Linda) Salmi of Algoma, Wisconsin and Alan Salmi of Evanston, Illinois as well as two nieces Kristina Salmi—Klotz (Jason Salmi—Klotz), and their children B and Thomas of Fish Creek Wisconsin, and Kerry Salmi and daughter Nevaeh of Caldwell Texas. Two uncles survive, Evald Salmi of Toivola and Hugo Salmi of Superior Wisconsin as well as numerous cousins.

Kathryn graduated from Suomi College in 1970 and Northern Michigan University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in special education. She taught for seven years in the Hancock schools as well as in lower Michigan for two years. Also, she studied for two years at different times with scholarships from Suomi College Ministry of Education Scholarship and Rotary international scholarship in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This is where she received her calling to “help the brokenhearted and free captives and preach good news” . Kathryn then went on to earn a Masters degree in Divinity in Pastoral counseling and Psychology at Ashland Theological seminary in Ohio. She worked for seven years at New Creation Center as an outpatient alcohol and drug counselor. In 1992 she opened up her private practice in counseling in Hancock. She specialized in alcohol and drug abuse as well as mental health with a Christian perspective. Kathryn was also a volunteer chaplain at Portage Health Center for many years. Kathryn taught at Finlandia University as an adjunct instructor in human service/nursing for 15 years. She enjoyed sharing her counseling and chaplain expertise with her students. Kathryn was also a Christian speaker at various functions and enjoyed preaching monthly at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Atlantic Mine for several years. She was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God church in Hancock and a licensed minister with the Assembly of God denomination. She enjoyed serving the Lord in her full-time ministry of counseling and preaching. Kathryn also enjoyed gardening, obtaining her Master Gardener certificate from Michigan State University in 2016.

She loved being in her own garden and helping out-being on the beautification committees of Houghton and Hancock for many years beautifying our towns with flowering gardens. Kathryn loved reading and birdwatching as well as traveling and visiting various countries around the world. Most of all she loved serving her personal Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. She will be sadly missed by those whose lives she has touched with her love and compassion and love of her Lord

Her generosity and giving will continue to live on through the successful donation of her organs to both research and those who are desperate for transplants.

Visitation will be at Memorial Chapel in Hancock on Saturday, June 4 from 5 to 7 PM with funeral service Sunday afternoon June 5 at 2 pm at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. Burial and graveside service June 6, along with burial of her mother’s ashes, (Margaret L Salmi) with family attending at Houghton cemetery. The family asks that you also consider donating to the continuation of her work by giving to the local chapter of the Wild Ones at their PayPal address wildoneskeweenaw@gmail.com

To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.